Education
- M.A. Islamic Studies ) – George Washington University (2020–2024) | Fulbright Scholar
- B.A. (Hons) Liberal Arts (Cultural Studies) – Beaconhouse National University (2011–2015) | Graduated with Distinction
Academic Interests
- Islamic Mystical and Intellectual Traditions
- Gender, Witnessing, and Memory in Islamic History
- Cultural and Religious Narratives in South Asia
Biography
Syeda Mehr Mustafa is an educator, writer, and researcher with expertise in Islamic Studies, gender studies, and curriculum development. She holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from George Washington University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar, and a B.A. (Hons) in Liberal Arts (Cultural Studies) from Beaconhouse National University, graduating with distinction.
Her research interests lie in the Islamic spiritual, historical and intellectual tradition, with a focus on Quranic Studies, Shi’a Irfan, gendered histories of Karbala and cultural religious narratives in South Asia. She has presented her work at academic forums, including the Sadia Waheed Gender Colloquium at LUMS, where she delivered a paper on “The Shahadat of Karbala: Zainab binte Ali, Gender and Witnessing”. Her M.A research focused on the conceptualization of Divine Mercy in the Sahifah Al-Sajjadiyyah and the Quran. Her current research explores the Sahifah Al-Sajjadiyyah as a mystical treatise on the intimate relationship between the human fitrah and Divine Nature and offers the text as a vital source of traditional wisdom to alleviate the spiritual crisis of the modern world.
In addition to her academic work, Mehr has extensive professional experience in media, editorial work, and education. She has served as Senior Editor at The News on Sunday (Jang Group) and Senior Assistant Op-ed Editor at Daily Times, where she specialized in arts and culture, opinion and international affairs. Her published articles focus on culture, identity, and socio-political issues, and her writings are featured in national media outlets.
Mehr also worked at Headstart School as a Curriculum Development Consultant and IB DP English Language and Literature Teacher, where she designs interdisciplinary units of study for IB MYP/DP programs, mentor’s teachers, and supervises extended essays. She is also an IB Resource Librarian and actively contributes to advancing critical pedagogy in secondary education.
Selected Experience
- Curriculum Development Consultant & IB DP English Teacher, Headstart School (2022–2025)
- Senior Editor, The News on Sunday, Jang Group (2019–2020)
- Senior Assistant Op-Ed Editor, Daily Times (2018–2019)
- Specialized Tutor for Children with Learning Disabilities (2016–2020)
- Media Intern, Alif Ailaan – DFID Education Campaign (2016)
